The political schedule: What can Netanyahu delay or torpedo?

The article reviews the legal timelines following Netanyahu's loss in the elections for the 26th Knesset, and the legal options to delay or disrupt the publication of results, the mandate assignment, the swearing-in of the Knesset, and the election of the Knesset Speaker. The chance of disruption is assessed as small in most stages, except for the election of the Speaker where it is moderate.

After losing the elections for the 26th Knesset and his camp receiving 53 seats, concerns arose about attempts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay the publication of the official election results or the swearing-in of the new Knesset. The article reviews the statutory timelines and the possibilities to delay or torpedo each stage. The publication of the official results must take place by November 4, and the responsibility lies with the Central Elections Committee headed by Judge Noam Solberg. President Isaac Herzog must assign the mandate to form the government within seven days of the publication of the results, no later than November 11. The swearing-in of the Knesset is set for November 10, and a boycott by Netanyahu or his faction is not a condition for holding the session. The election of a new Knesset Speaker does not have to take place at the swearing-in session, but the High Court of Justice previously forced Yuli Edelstein to hold elections for the Knesset Speaker. The chance of disruption is assessed as small in most stages, except for the election of the Speaker where it is moderate.